S

GAT FORUM 2013

15 MAY 2013

OUTLINE

S VCAA Examination S  Protocols and Procedures

S GAT: S Format & tips

VCAA Exams

VCE exam rules are designed to ensure a fair, consistent and thorough assessment

process for all VCE students. S  More than 50,00 VCE students

S  Around 800 exam centres

S  Exam marking process is thorough; most exam papers are marked at least twice.

VCAA Exam Protocol

S  Punctuality (30 minute rule)

S  If you feel sick you must come to your exam

S  Reliable transport is vital

S  Let your family know that you have an exam

S  Approved materials only (see Navigator) – SHGC plastic pocket S  No food or chewing gum S  Only water in clear, label-free 600mL max bottle (no refills) S  No medication (unless approved) S  Clean dictionaries S  Blue or black pens; No correction fluid or tape S  2B pencil for Multiple choice

VCAA Exam Protocol continued….

S  Breach of Rules – very serious

S  Ignorance is no defence

S  No electronic devices – on or off

S  No writing on hands or arms

S  No notes or paper permitted

S  Silence in exam room – no communication, include facial expressions, gestures

S  If you need assistance – hand up

VCAA Exam Protocol continued….

S  Follow all instructions of supervisors

S  Follow all instructions on exam cover

S  Write all details on script books at the beginning of writing time (numbers in words)

S  Read exam cover while waiting for reading time to start

S  Refer to seating plans

S  Emergency evacuation procedure

S  No early departure

S  Stop writing when directed

Exam Navigators

S  VCAA published for every student S  Contains all rules and details about all exams in all subjects

S  Read the booklet

S  Ask if you are unclear

General Achievement Test (GAT)

S  Wednesday 12 June – 10:00am start

S  You must arrive at least 45 mins prior to start

S  15 mins Reading time

S  3 hours Writing time

S  Stationary – pens, 2B pencils, sharpener, eraser, higlighters

S  No calculators

S  School uniform – personal belongings in locker

Importance of GAT

S  Increasingly used in Tertiary selection

S  Safety net for exam marking – used to ensure all subsequent exam papers are being marked fairly and consistently

S  Used to identify SAT reviews

S  You must take the GAT seriously and try your best

S  The GAT is your insurance policy

GAT Format

S  WRITING TASK 1 – Expository Task

S  30 minutes The purpose of the task is to explain the information in the given material, which is presented in both written and graphical form.

S  Students should not present an argument.

Writing Task 1

Criteria for assessment:

S  How well students organise and present their understanding of the material

S  How effectively students communicate the information

S  How clearly students express themselves

Writing Task 1

TIPS

S  Aim to use all material presented in some way

S  2 pages minimum for a comprehensive response

A high scoring response would demonstrate:

S  Content organised effectively

S  Material has been effectively processed

S  Draws inferences

S  Consistent in tone

S  Coherent development of piece (intro, body, conclusion)

S  Accurate and comprehensive account of material

S  Precise and skillful use of language including vocabulary and punctuation

WRITING TASK 2

PRESENTING A POINT OF VIEW

S  30 minutes

The purpose of this task is to present a point of view on one or more of the issues presented in the given material.

S  Students are free to include other knowledge or information they may have to support their view. In doing this task students should aim to present reasons and arguments to support their view and to rebut opposing ideas. Students must also aim to communicate clearly and effectively to the reader.

Writing Task 2

Criteria for assessment:

S  The extent to which a point of view is developed in a reasonable and convincing way

S  The effectiveness of the expression in the context of the position taken

Writing Task 2

TIPS

S  Response are not required to cover all the issues

S  Response may introduce arguments and evidence NOT included in given material

S  There must be a clear contention with some attempt to support this.

A high scoring response would demonstrate:

S  Writer’s position and voice is clear throughout

S  Demonstrates understanding of the fundamental concepts involved in the issue

S  Convincing arguments presented to support position

S  Lively, engaging and interesting to read

S  Coherent development of piece (intro, body, conclusion)

S  Precise and skillful use of language including vocabulary and punctuation

Multiple Choice Questions

S  70 Questions

S  2 hours

S  Questions cover all areas of study so some questions may be outside your experience

S  Answer each question to the best of your ability

S  Read information carefully and use your common sense

S  Do EVERY question

S  If in doubt – guess!

Multiple Choice Questions

S  Always eliminate responses you know are WRONG before guessing or choosing best response.

S  Previous GATs and answers to Multiple choice questions on VCCA website

http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/vce/exams/gat/

Tips

S  While students may complete the tasks in any order it is suggested they complete the writing tasks first, then the multiple-choice questions. Bear in mind that any part of the test may be revisited at any time because the answers won’t be collected until the end.

GAT Results

S  GAT results will be reported to students in December in the results package.

S  The GAT statement will show a student’s raw score out of: S  40 for written communication

S  35 for mathematics, science and technology

S  35 for humanities, the arts and social sciences.

S  This statement will also report a student’s GAT results as a standardised score for each component. The standardised score will be calculated and reported using the same scale that is used for Study Scores, that is on a scale from 0 to 50 with a mean of 30 and a standard deviation of 7.

Finally…

S  Treat the GAT seriously

S  Sleep well the night before and eat a satisfying breakfast as it will be a long time to focus

S  You can’t study for it so don’t stress

S  Do your best and don’t panic

S  Good Luck!!

S

GAT FORUM 2013

15 MAY 2013